Essential for normal blood and brain function, Vitamin B12 should most definitely

be on your radar once you've turned 40 (and more so after turning 50). Children and young adults, are likely to get the B12 they need from food (you can find it

in meat and animal products including chicken, fish, dairy and eggs), however, it tends to be more poorly absorbed as the body ages, especially around 50, when stomach acid levels deplete. So, taking a supplement is generally advised.

The current recommended dietary allowance is 2.4mg per day, but should you

get more, there's no need to worry about taking too much. Since it is a water-soluble vitamin, you pee out what you don't need.

Our bones absorb most of the calcium they need earlier in life (typically before

age 30). Nevertheless, this nutrient does play an essential role in maintaining

bone health later in life too. It is also needed for other basic body functions, like muscle contraction, nerve and heart functioning and other biochemical reactions. And, one other important factor to keep in mind is that if you're not getting

enough calcium from your diet, the body steals the nutrient from your bones, weakening them. So, while you still need calcium in your 40s and beyond, you

need not go overboard. A well rounded diet with calcium-rich foods like dairy,

In your 40s and beyond, Vitamin D is essential as this nutrient helps protect

against age-related changes that tend to arise at this time. Deficiencies in

Vitamin D have been linked to diabetes, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and

breast and colorectal cancers. Vitamin D is also essential for the absorption of calcium in the body. You can get it from dietary sources including fish, fortified dairy, grains and cereals - though Vitamin D in food tends to be poorly absorbed. One of the best sources is the sun, however since not everyone lives close

enough to the equator to be exposed to its strong rays, the supplement Vitamin

D3

(a type of Vitamin D closest to what you get from the sun) will suffice.

his nutrient is vital as it helps regulate blood pressure. It is especially important

for women aged 40+, who are already at risk of high blood pressure due to

normal aging. Heart disease, diabetes and inflammation have all been linked to a deficiency in magnesium. Getting enough is also essential as it helps the body absorb calcium. It also plays a role in muscle, nerve and heart function, as well as blood glucose control. If you think that you may be deficient and are in need of a supplement, your doctor can test your magnesium levels. But, you'll likely get the levels you need if you eat a healthy balanced diet. It is found in dark leafy greens, beans, soy, nuts, seeds and avocados. Too much of this nutrient doesn't pose a health risk, however, it may cause diarrhea, nausea or cramping.

No matter your age, potassium keeps your blood pressure in check. In fact, research has found that among postmenopausal women, a higher intake of potassium-rich food has decreased risk of stroke. You can get the potassium you need from a well-balanced diet, making sure to include a variety of foods like bananas, sweet potatoes, chard, beans and lentils. Supplements should be taken with caution, and should be carefully monitored if prescribed by a doctor. Too

much potassium can damage the gastrointestinal tract and the heart, causing potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.

Though technically not a vitamin, omega-3 fatty acids deserve a place on this list due to their myriad health benefits. They also help counteract some of the

negative changes that come with aging, such as increased heart disease risk and cognitive decline. The fatty acids found in Omega 3 help lower blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. They also play a key role in keeping memory and thinking sharp. In one study, it was found that people with higher levels of

omega 3 in their blood, had larger brains and performed better on memory tests, planning activities and abstract thinking. You can get omega-3 from foods like fish, walnuts, flaxseeds and leafy vegetables. Taking a supplement, however, is a good way to ensure that you are getting enough.

Like omega 3 - probiotics are not technically vitamins or minerals, but they are an essential requirement, playing a key role in keeping the gut healthy and your

weight down. Probiotics also lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Probiotics can be found in some dairy and fermented soy products like seitan, however, foods typically won't contain as many strains as a supplement. See,

each strain comes with its own benefit - some are used to help control weight,

and others to prevent diarrhea. You also won't be able to get them in foods that

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I have a sensible and realistic outlook to life and my two feet are always planted firmly on the ground (though I may, on occasion, have my head in the clouds). Others often see me as a rock of strength, solid, reliable and trustworthy. I have the courage to say no, the courage to face the truth and I do the right thing because it is right. All these are the magic keys with which I live my life with integrity that I am very proud of.